The brake pedal feels soft or goes down further than usual – what could this symptom mean? (Siuntio–Kirkkonummi)

The brake pedal usually feels soft when the pressure from the braking system is not being transmitted to the brakes as it normally would. This may be caused by air in the system, a fluid leak, a worn component or stale brake fluid. If the pedal depresses further than usual, feels spongy or only slows the car down after being pressed for a long time, the condition of the brakes must be checked before your next journey. We carry out brake checks in Kirkkonummi and also serve customers in Siuntio, Espoo and Veikkola.

The brake pedal feels soft: the most common causes

The brakes operate via a fluid system. When you press the pedal, the brake fluid transmits the force to the brake calipers and the drum brake cylinders. The fluid cannot be compressed, but air can. This is why air that has entered the brake line feels like a spongy, springy resistance when you press the pedal. Air can enter the system during braking or through a leak. Old brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, and when the fluid is hot, vapour bubbles may form, causing the pedal to feel soft, particularly during heavy braking.

A leak produces a different kind of symptom. If the pedal slowly sinks towards the floor whilst you are applying steady pressure, the fault may lie in the master cylinder, the brake hose or the brake pipe. A drop in the fluid level in the reservoir points to the same cause, although the level will also drop as the brake pads wear down. Worn pads and discs, or a malfunctioning brake caliper, can increase pedal travel. The cause of the symptom can only be determined once the brakes have been inspected.

If the pedal depresses almost to the floor or the braking performance deteriorates, stop the car and have the brakes checked before driving again.

When should you avoid driving if the brake pedal sinks lower?

Stop the car in a safe place and leave it there if the brake pedal sinks close to the floor, braking performance deteriorates or the brake warning light comes on. The same applies if the pedal feels spongy whilst driving or if you notice fluid leaking from under the car. Brakes are the car’s most important safety system, and with faulty brakes, every junction and set of traffic lights poses a risk. If you are unsure whether your brakes are working properly, have the car towed to a garage.

A slight change in the feel of the brake pedal will not sort itself out. If the pedal has become only slightly softer, check the brake fluid level in the reservoir and see if there are any damp patches visible in the driveway or near the wheels. Do not top up the fluid by guesswork, as this will not resolve the underlying cause of the fault. If the ABS light or any other brake-related warning light is on in your car, please let us know when you bring the car into the workshop.

This is how we investigate the cause of a soft brake pedal in Kirkkonummi

We inspect the entire braking system: the fluid, hoses, pipes, pads, discs and calipers. This enables us to identify the root cause of the fault, rather than just the symptom. If the brake fluid is old, changing the fluid and bleeding the system may be sufficient. If the fault lies with a leak or a worn part, we’ll let you know what needs repairing. It’s also worth checking the condition of your brakes before your MOT, and you can read more about this in the article Get the brakes sorted before the MOT.

We service all makes of cars, vans and classic cars, and we have over 20 years’ experience in the industry. If your car pulls to one side when braking or if the brakes are dragging, please also read Signs of a seized brake caliper. Please call us on 045 896 0556 or visit us at Kylmäläntie 350, Kirkkonummi, on weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm. You can find our services on the page workshop services.